We're right around halfway through the MLS season, and one of our participants is beginning to run away with our predictions contest. No offense to Adam or the rest of you, but its exactly who I would have expected.
Week 15: Chest 9, Martin 7, AMT 6, Readers 5
Overall: Chest 67, AMT 62, Readers 55, Martin 53
Wednesday June 29, 7:30 PM: Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
and then again Saturday July 2, 12:30 PM in the NCC Final
Martin: Tor. Chest: Tor. AMT: Tie.
Since I'm posting this a day later than I should be, you the reader are actually voting on who will win the NCC Final on Saturday, the second of two times these teams will play this week. If you recall, there was some controversy in the first attempt at the NCC Final getting canceled with the Whitecaps already up a goal, with reports ranging from the weather being either partially cloudy or the Four Horsemen's Destruction, depending who you talk to. (Martin)
Saturday July 2, 7:00 PM: DC United vs. Philadelphia Union, FSC
Martin: Tie. Chest: DC. AMT: DC.
The moves made mid-week by DC should provide a spark, and Philly is hardly in the best form. Our hottest player (Chris Pontius) will be running at the Union's weakest defender (Sheanon Williams). In what will probably play out as a track meet, Philly has too many slow players to keep up. (Chest)
Martin: Dal. Chest: Dal. AMT: Dal.
Robert Warzycha has confounded the doubters and found a formula that is working well enough to keep him in the job. It is not, however, working well enough to withstand Dallas. It's going to be fun watching the slower Crew defense try to cope with Marvin Chavez and Brek Shea. (Chest)
Saturday July 2, 10:00 PM: Chivas USA vs. Chicago Fire, Galavision
Martin: Tie. Chest: Chv. AMT: Tie.
Is Chicago playing? Are they playing somebody who is not at the tip top or very bottom of the league? Probably best to call it a draw. (AMT)
Saturday July 2, 10:30 PM: San Jose Earthquakes vs. New York Red Bulls, ESPN2
Martin: NY. Chest: Tie. AMT: Tie.
You know what's sad? San Jose will probably have an easier time scoring on whatever keeper NYRB trots out than they did putting one past Mike Magee last week. (Chest)
Saturday July 2, 11:00 PM: Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City
Martin: Tie. Chest: Por. AMT: Por.
IT'S THE ALLCAPS DERBY BROUGHT TO YOU BY PEOPLE WHO SCREAM ON THE INTERNET!! Current form for these teams not withstanding, I think the Timbers will recapture the magic of JELD-WEN Field. Anybody else starting to think that LIVESTRONG Park was just a mirage for a couple Sporks game and a night of Gold Cup? Why else would KC be back on the road for a multiple game swing so soon after it opened? (AMT)
Sunday July 3, 9:00 PM: Colorado Rapids vs. Houston Dynamo, ESPN2
Martin: Tie. Chest; Tie. AMT: Tie.
The Dynamo snatched a point at RFK Stadium in the final minutes due to a defensive breakdown. There won't be any defensive breakdowns at the Dick though. Not for either team. With Conor Casey out, this one's got draw written all over it. (Martin)
Monday July 4, 8:30 PM: Real Salt Lake vs. New England Revolution, ESPN2
Martin: RSL. Chest: RSL. AMT: RSL.
I love a 4-3-3 as much as anybody who's purchased and read the book Brilliant Orange. But the fact that three of the worst teams to watch through the first half of the season (New England, Toronto, early-season Sporks) all utilized the formation makes me wonder. Not about the formation itself - more about why the coaches in New England, Toronto, and Kansas City are currently employed. (AMT)
Monday July 4, 10:30 PM: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders, ESPN2
Martin: Tie. Chest: LA. AMT: Sea.
The Galaxy will be starting Bryan Perk in goal on Monday night. I think they're crazy. Mike Magee is currently in his ninth season in MLS and no one has EVER scored on him. Why mess with a good thing? (Martin)